law incite us to still greater diligence in the work of life.

Our Father, we pray that before we close our eyes in sleep this night we may be at peace with all men. If any one has wronged us, may we freely forgive the wrong, as we hope and pray that we may be forgiven by thee. If an unkind feeling has been in our bosoms, Father, forgive us; if an unkind word has been upon our lips, Father, forgive us; if we have performed an unkind act, forgive us; and breathe into our hearts a spirit of love to our enemies, if we have any.

And now, as the period of rest draws nigh, we ask thy protection during our hours of sleep. Watch over us, O thou who never slumberest nor sleepest, and give us that refreshing repose which we need, that when the morning dawns we may be strong in thy strength, to do' thy work and perform thy will. Father, we commit ourselves to thy care. In thy keeping we shall be secure. In thy arms we are safe. Do with us and for us, our Father, as thou seest we need now and evermore. We resign ourselves to thy care, thankful that with the house of Israel and of Aaron, and with thy sainted children in all ages, we may trust in the Lord, who is our help and our shield. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same be thy name praised, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory in his church forever. Amen.

XXI.

Daily Gratitude.

Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God ;

Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is; which keepeth truth forever;

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed; which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners.

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous. The Lord preserveth the stranger; he relieveth the fatherless and widow but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

The Lord shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.

O THOU all-bountiful Giver of our enjoyments and our privileges, at the close of a day which thy goodness has crowned with blessings, we offer unto thee the prayer of gratitude. What are we, O Lord, that thou shouldst be mindful of us? Creatures of a day, feeble alike in our powers and in our purposes of good, wandering often from thy holy ways, and walking in forbidden paths, it becomes us not to boast ourselves as

though we had attained aught by our own strength or our own merit. It is of thy goodness that we live, and enjoy life's blessings. All the gifts of this world are from thee, health, competence, success in life, the happy home, the company of friends, and whatever else makes pleasant this earthly state of being. We thank thee, O God, for the share of these blessings thou hast granted to us. May we enjoy them with that moderation of spirit which, gratefully recognizing thee as the bestower, shall be prepared to submit if at any time thy gifts should be withdrawn. May we use the means of good thou givest us, not for our own advantage only, but for that of others, and thus for thy glory. May we feel that it is a blessed privilege to make others partakers in our happiness.

O God, we pray that thou wouldst guard us, as against the trials of adversity, so also against the temptations that attend a prosperous state. Keep us from pride. Knowing that there is nothing we have but we have received it from thee, may we not glory as though we had it of ourselves; but rather be more truly humble, as we contemplate thy goodness on the one hand, and our deficiencies on the other. Keep us from indolence. If we are not excited to industry by the pressure of want, may we be by the sense of duty to others and to thee. Keep us from selfishness. May we sympathize with others in their distress, and rejoice in their good fortune. Keep us from too great devotedness to this world. May we remember that a

time must come when all earthly possessions will be of no avail, but when we must part from this life and all its pleasing pursuits, and go where the only distinction recognized will be that of piety and virtue. May we by good conduct and humble faith lay up for ourselves treasures in that unseen and eternal world; and at length, O Father, may thy forgiving mercy receive us there.

We pray for our friends; bless them, O Lord, with this world's gifts, but still more with those of the life to come. Bless thou the poor and needy, and open the hearts of the prosperous for their relief. Comfort those in sorrow; restore the sick, or prepare them for the last great change; receive the dying to thyself. Recall the sinful from their wanderings, and confirm thy servants in their faithfulness. Bless all and each according to thine infinite wisdom and perfect love. May the Gospel of Christ our Saviour be honored in our hearts and lives, and made triumphant through the world; and now and evermore to thee, O God, be praises in his holy name. Amen.

XXII.

Cheerful Thanks.

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praise to thy name, O Most High.

To show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

WE come to thee, Father in heaven, spared and blest as we have been through another day, that we may thankfully testify to thy goodness and lovingkindness towards us, and confidingly commit ourselves to thy protection through the night. Dangers seen and unseen have been in our path, but thou hast been our shield. We have gone out and come in, in safety beneath thy care. Thy bounty hath spread our board; thy strength has sustained, and thy blessing crowned, our labors; thy Spirit hath helped our infirmities; and, surrounded by the innumerable mercies of our daily lot, we are brought to the hour of rest. And as we would show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, so would we speak of thy faithfulness every night.

What thanks can we acceptably render unto thee, O thou ever good and gracious Being? May we remember that the best proof that we are sensible of thy great and unmerited goodness to us is our daily